Tourism in China continued to boom as this year’s National Day holidays entered the latter half. The Chinese Ministry of Transport announced that around 284 million cross-regional trips were made on Friday, the fourth day of the holidays, an increase of 2.8 percent compared to the same day last year.

Ancient architecture and sculptures in North China’s Shanxi Province became one of the most popular destinations this year thanks to the unexampled success of China’s first triple-A video game Black Myth: Wukong, which features 36 locations across China, with 27 situated in Shanxi. 

Inbound tourism also demonstrated strong growth over the holiday with inbound travel booking  rising by more than 60 percent compared to last year, which is expected to surpass that of outbound tourism in terms of growth rates thanks to a series of supportive policies.

Citing the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, CCTV reported Saturday that, from Tuesday to Friday, the first four days of the week-long holidays, combined inbound and outbound cross-border passenger trips via Shenzhen Airport exceeded 57,000, with nearly 600 flight arrivals and departures, representing a year-on-year increases of 58.1 percent and 55.2 percent, respectively. 

With the continuous rise in inbound and outbound passenger trips, the total number of border crossings at Shenzhen Airport this year has surpassed 4 million, marking a 47.6 percent increase compared to last year's total, according to officials.

Over the first four days of the National Day holidays, the number of outbound passengers at Shenzhen Airport exceeded 33,000, with Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia being the most popular destinations, the station said, while predicting a peak of inbound travel on Sunday and Monday, the last two days of the holidays.

During this year's National Day holidays, booking volumes made by inbound tourists to China has reportedly increased by more than 60 percent compared to the same period last year, according to CCTV on Friday.

China continues to optimize its visa and customs policies, accelerate the recovery of international flights, improve payment facilitation, and enhance the overall service quality for inbound tourism. As a result, international popularity of China Travel keeps growing this year.

An official told the CCTV on Friday that the number of inbound trips by foreigners via the Shenzhen general station this year had exceeded 360,000, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 143 percent. Of this figure, the number of inbound trips under the visa-free policies had surpassed 130,000, showing an increase of more than five times compared to the previous year, according to the official.

Just before this holiday, Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on September 30 to expand the visa-free policy to citizens of Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia from October 15, 2024 to December 31, 2025.

In addition to only visiting popular destinations like Beijing and Shanghai, this year, foreign travelers tend to enjoy in-depth and niche travel in China to explore lesser-known tourist spots and feel more comfortable to utilize China's advanced high-speed rail network to travel between different cities.

Trends such as “silver-hair travel” and “family travel” have also become new growth areas for inbound tourism. 

“The China I read about in the book is very traditional, but when I arrived in Beijing, I found that it is actually a blend of tradition and modernity. The contrast between the two is really fascinating,” said a 14-year-old tourist from Australia.

Fifty years ago, not only the archaeological community but also ordinary people were stunned by the excavation of the Mawangdui Han Tombs. Among the findings is a remarkable discovery known as China's "Sleeping Beauty" (Lady Xin Zhui), an over 2,100-year-old lady who looks nearly as good as she did when she was buried after her death at the age of about 50, during China's Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25). The world has marveled at the mystery behind her body, as well as the numerous precious treasures unearthed from the tombs.

In this Mawangdui trilogy, the Global Times Culture Desk reaches out to experts who have been involved in the excavation field work, revisiting those moments when new discoveries were made or more cultural relics were unearthed. This is the second installment.
With all three tombs discovered at the Mawangdui Han Tombs, questions about their occupants have become the elephant in the room: Who were they? Which tomb was the earliest, and which was the latest?

When the archaeology team needed to address the chronological questions, Fu Juyou, one of the leaders of the Mawangdui site excavation, decided to consider stratigraphy as a key factor.

Shan Xianjin, one of the excavators of the Mawangdui Han tombs, was leading the team to implement the idea. He told the Global Times that the team applied stratigraphy into their practice to determine the chronological order of the three tombs.

"By digging with a bulldozer in the middle of the two mounds, a profile was created to study the stratigraphy. We could see different layers of the soil, and decided the order is No.2, No.3 and No.1," recalled Shan, now 88 years old.

However, the mystery surrounding the owner of Tomb No.2 remained unresolved.

"Wrapping up his work at the bottom of the coffin, He Jiejun went ahead to reach to the bottom of the wooden board," Shan said.

"With his swollen fingers, He got something hard. What could it be? He lifted it out, cleaned it a bit with water melt from the snow. It turned out to be a seal!

"The seal read 'Daihou Li Cang' [the marquis Li Cang]. Everyone was so thrilled at that moment! Now we knew the identity of the tomb's owner," Shan noted.
Details of the discovery

From many discoverers' point of view, the excavation stories of Mawangdui started from the story of "ghost fire." Shan told the Global Times that in December 1971, an air-raid shelter was under construction to be used by a nearby military hospital.

To speed up the process, the construction team utilized iron brazing to drill down, which released an unpleasant odor.

"Two soldiers took a break and smoked, and the marsh gas from the drilling caught on fire, emitting blue flames," Shan recalled.

The flames were believed to be "ghost fire," as the conventional saying goes, leading the team to halt the excavation.

News of the incident was relayed to Hou Liang, then head of the Hunan Museum. Hou immediately identified that the soldiers had likely uncovered an ancient tomb, locally known as a "fire pit tomb," renowned for its well-preserved artifacts.

After the female corpse was unearthed, medical workers ­performed an autopsy in December 1972 to thoroughly examine the integrity of the body and study ancient Chinese embalming techniques.

Medical experts from across Hunan Province were invited to perform the autopsy, with young surgeon Peng Longxiang leading the procedure.

"It can be said that all clinical departments participated, including radiology, dermatology, stomatology, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, and otolaryngology. Everyone was joking, but we didn't invite pediatricians because she was an adult, so [almost] all clinical departments participated," Peng said.

Impacts on art, life

Hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds in China during the 20th century, the Mangwangdui site has garnered significant attention both within the country and around the world.

Professor Eugene Wang Yuejin, founding director of the Harvard FAS CAMLab, an art team, told the Global Times in an interview that the discoveries at Mawangdui have had a profound influence on the global understanding of ancient Chinese culture and its contribution to mankind's heritage.

Lü Chenchen, associate ­director of Harvard FAS CAMLab, told the Global Times that the medical texts discovered at ­Mawangdui are some of the earliest known manuscripts on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), providing insights into ancient practices of health, well-being, and holistic healing.

The texts, which cover treatments and medical theories, have left an everlasting impact on TCM and continue to influence people's life in modern times.

The 2024 12th China Beijing International Magic Carnival and World College Magic Exchange Convention kicked off in Beijing's Changping district on Friday. The event features promotional activities, hiking tours, and performances by magicians from China, Germany, the US, and Argentina, offering a top-tier magical showcase.

“As a key platform of Beijing's role as a national cultural center and an international exchange hub, Changping aims to use magic culture as a medium to create a ‘golden business card’ for international cultural exchange,” said Zhi Xianwei, mayor of Changping district.

Zhi briefed Changping’s rich history and deep cultural heritage. He extended a warm invitation to artists and university students from around the world to visit Changping, encouraging magic as a medium for deeper cultural exchanges and collaboration.

During the event, a series of magic performances and cultural activities were presented, with magicians from various countries presenting their talents to an audience of university students.

At the close-up magic show, American magician Bill Bentz performed a magic trick using three ancient Chinese coins he collected during his first visit to Xiamen, Fujian Province. As the coins moved between his hands, the audience, particularly the students, watched in awe.

“When I first saw these three Chinese coins, I knew I wanted to use them in a performance in America. I’m proud to celebrate China’s traditional culture,” Bill said.

In recent years, the blending of disciplines has become more prevalent in cultural tourism. With its flexibility and adaptability, magic has seamlessly integrated into various cultural and tourism contexts into various cultural and tourism contexts.

Tang Yanhai, secretary of the Chinese Acrobats Association, noted that the magic carnival not only adheres to international standards by hosting high-level exchange activities but also explores new paths for industry integration, combining the magic experience with cultural and tourism consumption, and creating new cultural tourism experiences.

Jin Chutong, a Beijing-based folk magician and magic instructor, told the Global Times that Chinese folk magic is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.

“Over the years, I’ve seen magic expand beyond theater into tourist attractions and cultural activities, offering audiences more opportunities for close-up experiences. This integration has created more performance opportunities and brought magic into everyday life,” Jin noted.

“Magic requires both innovation and preservation. I hope more young people will join the field and revitalize Chinese folk magic in the modern era,” he added.

Xiaoxitian Temple in North China's Shanxi Province which has gained renewed popularity for appearing in China's first AAA video game Black Myth: Wukong will host intangible cultural heritage demonstrations, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) announced on Tuesday alongside its plans to launch a series of cultural events during the week-long National Day holidays. 

To cater to the growing demand for cultural and spiritual experiences and ensure that residents have access to a diverse range of cultural products, MCT announced that nearly 1,000 cultural activities centered on intangible cultural heritage will be held nationwide during the holiday period, Hu Yan, an official with the MCT, told reporters on Tuesday. 

Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times on Wednesday that using intangible cultural heritage activities to enrich the tourism experience is a strategy driven by shared development. 

"The promotion of intangible cultural heritage also needs to adapt to the characteristics of modern cultural and entertainment consumption, and the trend of cultural and tourism integration," said Sun.

Xiaoxitian Temple in Shanxi will host several cultural activities, including performances and exhibits related to national, provincial, and local intangible cultural heritage projects, aiming to highlight traditional Chinese culture and enhancing the tourist experience. 

Shanxi is often referred to as the "treasure house of ancient Chinese architecture" due to its 531 nationally protected cultural heritage sites, which make up 10.5 percent of China's total, the highest in the country. 

Reports indicate that Black Myth: Wukong features 36 locations across China, with 27 situated in Shanxi. Among these is the Xiaoxitian Temple. The temple's main attraction, the Daxiong Hall, showcases intricate suspended sculptures that have been preserved for over 400 years, housed in a 100-square-meter structure.

Yu Xinsong, a Beijing-based backpacker who intends to go to Shanxi during the coming holiday, told the Global Times on Wednesday that visiting ancient architecture in-person is a unique experience. 

"The firsthand experience allows me to see the details of the architectural craftsmanship that would not be seen in games or on TV. The intangible cultural heritage activities will give the site another cultural edge," said Yu.

Meanwhile, 14 special eco-tourism routes will also be launched during the holiday. These routes will utilize national parks, scenic areas, forest parks, wetland parks, and geological parks as core destinations. By linking these natural attractions with major transportation routes, the initiative aims to provide convenient travel options for tourists seeking eco-friendly and leisurely holiday experiences, Wei Lizhong, an official with the MCT, told reporters on Tuesday.

In Beijing, the Badaling section of the Great Wall recently introduced a new "Morning Great Wall" experience, allowing visitors to access the Great Wall between 4:30 and 7:30 am daily. This unique opportunity offers an ideal vantage point from the South Fifth Tower, one of the best spots to witness the sunrise over the historic structure. 

The Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism announced on Monday that over 1,900 cultural and tourism events will be held during the holiday, with a focus on celebrations, artistic performances, intangible cultural heritage showcases and museum exhibitions. Among these events, the "Chengdu-Chongqing International Theatre Twin Cities" festival stands out as the largest urban theater festival in Southwest China. It will feature the longest duration and the highest number of international performances in the region, aiming to elevate the cultural vibrancy and global connections of the two cities.

Following the return of seven giant pandas, including Fu Bao, the first naturally bred panda born in South Korea, the news has hit that some giant pandas are set to return to China from zoos in countries like the US and Finland as loan agreements expire or cubs reach maturity, while some others will be sent overseas from China and continue to be ambassadors of friendship.

People's affection and love for the cuddly bear and calls for peace and international cooperation on panda conservation haven't faded wherever the pandas are but instead have only grown stronger, with the help of many Chinese and foreign panda lovers.

There are a group of foreigners living in China who have been focusing their camera lenses on the giant pandas, especially those that have returned to China from foreign countries, and uploading videos about the pandas' daily life and well-being on social media to relieve concerns and fill the hearts of overseas fans who could not visit the pandas themselves.

Kim Soo-kyung, known on YouTube as SOOKYUNGHAPPY, is one of these foreign panda lovers living in China. Kim is a part-time vlogger from South Korea who has been working in Shanghai for more than 10 years.

After hearing that Fu Bao would make public debut at the Wolong Shenshuping Base in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on June 12, she scrambled for a ticket to the event so she could see this "princess" in the hearts of South Korean fans.

"I was able to hear my heartbeat as I got my first glance of Fu Bao. I remember Fu Bao sat there at ease and was looking around slowly. Her peaceful eyes seemed to comfort us and tell each visitor there was no need to worry," Kim recalled the event during an interview with the Global Times.

Since then, Kim's camera has become a window for South Korean followers to stay abreast of Fu Bao's status. Unable to resist the charm of these adorable creatures, Kim has gotten used to rushing to Chengdu and visiting the panda base there during her time off.

"If conditions allowed, I would stay with the pandas every day and gaze at them while they are eating or sleeping."

Kim said that many of her followers on social media also keep close tabs on Fu Bao and often ask her in the comments section of her posts how the panda is faring. When a flash flood and mudslide hit the region where the panda breeding base is located, South Korean fans were concerned about the safety of Chinese breeders and pandas, and Kim confirmed the base was safe.

Sometimes seeing rumors and misinformation run rampant among netizens, Kim tries to refute these as quickly as possible by sharing her observations of the base.

"I often tell them to watch my videos first and see how Chinese breeders treat pandas with expertise and patience, or come to visit Fu Bao themselves, rather than listen to rumors," the vlogger said.
More than 2,000 people lined up outside Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on Saturday morning to bid farewell to the panda couple that lived there, which demonstrates the cross-border attraction of giant pandas. Their influence mainly comes down to their innocent, adorable appearance and role as a symbol of friendship, Zhao Songsheng, manager of YueWeiLai, a Chengdu-based NGO dedicated to protecting giant pandas, told the Global Times.

Kim has made a number of new friends by following Fu Bao. Each time she films Fu Bao and the other pandas at the base, she encounters panda lovers from different places around the world, including some South Korean fans.

Kim has built connections with these panda lovers. Together they have celebrated Fu Bao's birthday by making postcards and colorful tags. A Chinese fan specially sent her Fu Bao souvenirs after seeing one of Kim's posts on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu showcasing her taking photos of a picture of Fu Bao on a large screen in Shanghai.

"Wherever you are, panda lovers around the world can become friends," Kim noted.

Chinese institutes related to giant pandas have organized diverse events to share the latest news about pandas to large numbers of panda lovers, actively responding to public concerns by engaging in face-to-face communication and clarifying rumors and false information.

The Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center has organized three greeting events for panda lovers, inviting dozens of internet celebrities to thoroughly visit the base and document efforts to conserve pandas. To answer the questions of the public, the center has also held face-to-face conversations between internet celebrities and panda experts.

Zhao told the Global Times that Chinese and South Korean vloggers like Kim who are concerned about pandas can try co-creating online content about pandas so as to prevent irrational rumors from polluting the pure love for the adorable, peaceful creatures and better narrate their stories of joint protection.

China's consumption market has shown multiple positive signs as the week-long National Day holiday period is about to start on Tuesday, with industry insiders expecting to see bustling scenes across different sectors, ranging from tourism, transport, movie-going and catering.

As consumption during Golden Week traditionally serves as a barometer for the economy, observers said that the spending surge is likely to send an upbeat signal on the potential of China's consumption market, which remains a key economic driver. 

The consumption rebound, coupled with a slew of pro-growth policies released in recent days, would also inject new impetus to consolidate the recovery of the world's second-largest economy in the fourth quarter, according to analysts.

Travel boom 

Nationwide, Chinese tourists have been in "countdown" mode, eagerly packing their bags in anticipation of the week-long travel adventure during the holiday period. A Beijing-based tour guide surnamed Zhao told the Global Times that reservations for hotels and tickets of popular tourist sites for the upcoming Golden Week has soared significantly. "Tickets for iconic tourist sites in Beijing such as the Forbidden City sold out a week ago," Zhao added.

In addition to traditional popular tourism destinations like Beijing and Shanghai, some third- and fourth-tier cities have also been gaining popularity among tourists for their iconic cultural and culinary attractions. For example, the hit game Black Myth: Wukong has led to more than 30-percent growth in tourism bookings for cities in North China's Shanxi Province, which is rich in cultural legacies, media reported. 

Outbound tourism is also foreseen to continue rebounding during Golden Week. Many of the popular travel products involving destinations in Europe and Africa sold out more than a month before the holidays, data from travel platform Fliggy shows, while flight bookings to destinations such as Egypt, Turkey, Hungary, and Kenya have increased more than threefold compared to the same period in 2023.

Transportation networks of Chinese expressways, railways and civil aviation are also expected to embrace a surge during the holidays. 

It is forecasted that the country's railway will handle 175 million passenger trips during the travel rush period starting from Sunday and lasting until October 8. 

During the holidays, the Beijing Capital International Airport is expected to handle 1.32 million passenger trips, while the annual passenger throughput should exceed 50 million during this National Day holiday period. The number of inbound and outbound passengers at the Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to reach 105,000, an increase of nearly 60 percent compared with the same period in 2023, the Global Times learned from the airports' operators.

The transport sector overall is expected to handle 1.94 billion passenger trips nationwide during the holidays, with a daily average of 277 million trips. The daily average is expected to rise 0.7 percent year-on-year.

"The average payment price for domestic flights has been reduced by 20 percent compared with last year, while the average price of mid-to-high end hotels also dropped by 20 percent year-on-year," which also helped fuel the Golden Week travel rush, according to a report qunar.com.

Economic gauge

With regards to the movie market, the total pre-sale box office for new releases during the holidays had reached over 100 million yuan ($14.26 million) as of 2:38 pm on Sunday, indicating a potential box-office rebound following a weaker-than-expected summer season.

Meanwhile, multiple localities have been rolling out cultural and tourism activities, among other measures, to further spur a consumption boom during the holidays. 

On Saturday, Shanghai began distributing consumption coupons worth of 500 million yuan, offering residents discounts on a wide range of purchases, from hotels and movies to restaurants and sporting events.

"Ahead of the National Day holidays, the Chinese government released a bunch of supportive policies that have largely stabilized and lifted up social expectations," said Tian Yun, an economist based in Beijing.

The strength of China's holiday consumption rebound may also shed light on the potential and resilience of the country's consumption, which is a key engine driving economic recovery momentum, analysts said. 

They believed the fourth quarter is also a peak season for domestic consumption, with major consumption events like the Double 11 online shopping festival in November set to further ignite a new wave of shopping enthusiasm. 

In honor of Liu Hui, a prominent figure in ancient Chinese mathematics, a series of global activities kicked off on Tuesday local time in Paris, marking the beginning of a year-long commemoration of Liu, whose contributions had a profound influence on ancient Chinese mathematics, and continue to inspire today’s scientific progress and civilization exchanges.

The commemorations were co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).

The series of events are expected to show the world the remarkable scientific achievements, exceptional ideas, and significant contributions to human civilization made by ancient Chinese scholars like Liu, said He Junke, executive president of the CAST, in a speech he delivered at a launch ceremony of the commemoration on Tuesday, at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.

In November 2023, UNESCO held the 42nd session of the General Conference and approved the proposal made by the CAST to celebrate the anniversary of Liu’s birth. It was reportedly the first time China had successfully applied for a birthday anniversary event for a scientist at UNESCO.

This celebration was not only a tribute to Liu’s legacy, but a reminder of the immense value of mathematical sciences in shaping our future, said Lidia Arthur Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, in a speech she delivered at the launch ceremony.

“This memorial is a tribute to his lasting impact - a recognition that mathematics, as Liu Hui demonstrated, is not just a theoretical pursuit, but also a vital tool for solving practical problems and advancing societies,” Brito remarked.

Living in the 3rd century, Liu was one of the founders of classical Chinese mathematical theory. He made great contributions to the history of Chinese mathematics and also gained an important position in the history of mathematics globally.

Liu’s commentary in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art had a great influence on a large number of mathematicians and mathematical works in later generations.

Liu also made many great mathematical creations. He created the theory of lü (ratio) about quantitative relationships, first proposed the concept of decimal fractions, and was the first to introduce the idea of limit and infinite division methods into mathematical proofs. He established a unique mathematical theory of measurement (surveying).

Liu had a direct impact on mathematics in ancient China and the entire East Asia, and indirectly influenced other regions as well, said Zou Dahai, a research fellow at the Institute for History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in a speech he delivered online at Tuesday’s launch ceremony as an expert representative.

“As a representative of outstanding ancient Chinese scientists, Liu is not only a figure of China but also of the world,” Zou told the Global Times.

Following the launch ceremony, an international symposium on Liu’s academic thought was held at the headquarters of UNESCO on Tuesday afternoon, where global experts in the history of science and technology and the history of mathematics, gave multi-dimensional interpretations of and held discussions about Liu’s academic contributions and scientific heritage, as well as their modern value.

Furthermore, they delved into the global dissemination of Liu’s mathematical ideas, and proposed suggestions for the further promotion of China’s classical mathematical heritage.

Andrea Bréard, a professor and the vice president of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, gave a keynote speech at the symposium titled “Incognito: The Secret Lives of Liu Hui in the 19th Century.” She mentioned that the name of Liu Hui is rarely seen in late imperial Chinese mathematical sources, but it doesn’t imply that Liu had little influence on mathematical practices in the 19th century and beyond.

Instead, it is possible to uncover the lasting influence of Liu’s thought and writings in the context of a rapidly changing scientific landscape, at a time when China became globally more entangled, Bréard noted.

Zhou Xiaohan, an associate research fellow at the Institute for History of Natural Sciences, CAS, shared his thoughts on the multi-language translations of some terms and arguments in Liu’s commentary on Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art in his keynote speech at the symposium.

“Liu’s achievements are not only a treasure to China, but also a great legacy of human thought for the world,” Zhou told the Global Times. “His mathematical achievements reflect the diversity of mathematical thought and practice, which requires the free and deep cooperation of scholars around the world to reveal and interpret.”

As another highlight of the commemoration, a themed exhibition featuring Liu’s achievements in mathematics kicked off at Réfectoire des Cordeliers in Paris on Monday, so as to showcase Liu’s mathematical achievements, and to deepen the civilization exchanges and mutual understanding between China and the world, says the exhibition’s foreword.

Yang Xinyu, the Chinese Ambassador and permanent delegate to UNESCO, said in the speech she delivered at the launch ceremony that the International Astronomical Union named a new feature on the moon “Liu Hui” in 2021, in honor of Liu’s accomplishments.

“Today, whenever we look at the moon from afar, we would think of Liu Hui, think of his groundbreaking work, as well as his scientific spirit,” Yang said. “Spirit that is marked by rigorousness, innovation, dedication, and open-mindedness. Spirit that is highly consistent with the general trend of international scientific cooperation.”

China is making significant strides in utilizing big data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the ocean industry, particularly in marine spatial planning. These technologies are significantly enhancing accuracy and efficiency, and are expected to revolutionize deep-sea exploration and the broader marine industry, the Global Times learned at an event held in Beijing on Thursday.

Marine Spatial Planning Cooperation Workshop of Maritime Silk Road Partner Countries kicked off in Beijing on Thursday, hosted by China Oceanic Development Foundation (CODF).

Representatives from the Belt & Road countries attending the event praised China's efforts in helping them build their marine spatial planning capabilities, while calling for deeper cooperation in developing the blue economy. 

Pan Xinchun, Vice President and Secretary General of CODF, told the Global Times that they have employed big data to collect and sort out available information, especially historical records, to analyze the long-term patterns in specific marine areas using AI models. These tools have greatly improved the accuracy and efficiency of studying marine environments, Pan said. 

Drones are used to monitor real-time changes in the ocean. Data collected by the drones is processed using big data, enabling precise assessments of marine conditions. This technology has played a crucial role in the drafting and implementation of marine spatial planning, as the effectiveness of the plan and any potential violations can be evaluated, allowing for more scientific and efficient supervision throughout the process, he said. 

"For instance, in marine aquaculture, traditional methods would generally waste about one-third of the feed, which sinks to the seabed, resulting in both wasted resources and environmental pollution. Now, with the AI monitoring, the amount of feed can be adjusted accordingly, and intelligent technology can retrieve any leftover feed from the seabed," Pan noted. 

China is currently engaged in the R&D of AI-controlled deep-sea robots and is studying the feasibility of deploying them as deep as 10,000 meters below the surface, where the pressure equals 1,000 atmospheres. This would also enable scientists to explore the microorganisms there without having to dive themselves, a task that would be extremely dangerous for humans.

"The development of AI-controlled unmanned underwater vehicles is expected to revolutionize deep-sea exploration and the broader marine industry, achieving goals that were previously unattainable," Pan told the Global Times. "China is making rapid progress in this area, with immense potential for growth."

At Thursday's event, the Global Times learned that the CODF has helped 19 countries form their marine spatial plans, providing assistance in allocating ocean zones based on functions, resources, location, and environment, designating areas for protection or development and ensuring sustainable resource use through policy measures. Among the 19 countries, Cambodia and Thailand have officially implemented their plans as government documents. 

Through such collaboration, the foundation has shared over 40 years of China's marine spatial planning expertise, helping these countries create tailored plans that balance resource development, environmental protection, and economic growth. China's endeavor has been warmly welcomed and highly valued by these countries, who expressed their heartfelt gratitude at the workshop.

Representatives from the partner countries also sought China's expertise in developing the blue economy. China was one of the first countries to implement the concept of the blue economy and has since developed a comprehensive framework of policies, standards, and implementation plans. 

China is eyeing to help developing countries develop their blue economies including deep-sea aquaculture, offshore wind energy, bio-products, modern fisheries, green ports, high-end shipbuilding, desalination, and tourism. These sectors are largely zero-emission, making them highly efficient and sustainable.

The event was attended both online and in person by some 300 government officials, scholars and experts from nearly 60 countries along the Belt & Road, including 19 that have partnered with the foundation on marine spatial planning and 49 involved in coastal sustainable development capacity-building projects.

The event witnessed the launching of the Marine Spatial Planning Alliance, as well as the release of an initiative for promoting sustainable ocean development of B&R countries.

The third Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) kicked off on Wednesday in Hangzhou, capital city of East China's Zhejiang Province, the nation's innovation and trade hub, showcasing China's significant new opportunities and latest solutions in the digital economy.

Global digital trade is thriving, becoming an important trend in international trade development and new growth point for the world economy. Meanwhile, China has become one of the most dynamic regions for digital trade, Chinese and foreign officials and business representatives said at the expo.

This event, themed "Digital Trade and Global Access," serves as an important platform for exchanging ideas and sharing the benefits of China's digital development, industry insiders said.

This year's edition has attracted more than 1,500 enterprises from home and abroad, among which over 300 are international companies. A total of 446 new products and technologies will be featured at the five-day expo, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Over 30,000 purchasers have signed up for the event, with more than 6,000 of them based in foreign countries and regions, Xinhua reported.

Co-hosted by the Zhejiang provincial government and China's Ministry of Commerce, the event is currently China's only digital trade-themed expo at the national level.

This year, special exhibition areas have been dedicated to robots featuring artificial intelligence innovations and smart traffic solutions. Chinese companies have been the highlight in the expo, thanks to their advanced solutions in digitalization.

"At this expo, we are primarily showcasing gene sequencing solutions developed by our company," Charles Lu, director of public affairs at BGI Group, told the Global Times at the event. "They can be provided to our partners in various countries for scientific research, offering them Chinese technologies," Lu noted.

Beyond scientific research, BGI Group has observed a growing trend in the use of these technologies in agriculture. BGI's services cover more than 100 countries and regions, and there has been a steady growth in overseas demand.

"By participating in this expo, we hope to promote these advanced technologies to even more countries worldwide," Lu said.
China's digital industry has seen a robust growth in recent years, notching total revenue of 32.5 trillion yuan ($4.62 trillion) in 2023. Against this backdrop of vast opportunities in digital trade, foreign businesses are also eager to capitalize on the potential of China's digital market.

Speaking with the Global Times at the event, Cheng Fang, head of the regional sales division at Japanese technology firm Yokogawa China Co, said that the world is currently undergoing a wave of digitalization, and China is actively leading the way in this field.

"We are focused on integrating our business with China's digital transformation, and this event represents a great opportunity for us," Cheng said.

Yokogawa China Co has a wide range of business sectors, including energy materials, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals. In recent years, the company's branch in China has consistently ranked as one of the top units in the global group, Cheng said, indicating the importance of the Chinese market to the Japanese company.

Cheng noted that their overall global strategy is increasingly oriented toward the Chinese market, and they will continue to invest and expand their presence in China.

"Over the past 40 years of reform and opening-up, China has attracted significant investment, positioning itself as the world's manufacturing hub. Now, with its consumer market size nearing that of the US, China presents enormous investment opportunities for both itself and the global market," said Wu Yabin, head of Investment and Technology Promotion Office Beijing of United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Wu made these remarks during a roundtable dialogue on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digital Transformation held in conjunction with the GDTE, highlighting the vast opportunities presented by the digitalization trend in China.

China's core maternal and child health indicators have improved steadily in recent years, now ranking among the top in middle- and high-income countries, according to the Third China Maternal and Child Health Academic Conference held in South China's Hainan Province from Friday to Saturday.

The national maternal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and mortality rate of children under five have all reached record lows, according to Liang Xiaofeng, the vice president of Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, during the conference. 

In 2023, the infant mortality rate dropped below 4.5 per 1,000 births for the first time, reaching the advanced levels of middle- and high-income countries, Liang added.

Participants at the conference emphasized that maternal and child health is the cornerstone of national health. 

Decades of effort have significantly improved the level of maternal and child health in China, with continued advancements in maternal healthcare standards, according to Xinhua.

China currently operates 3,082 maternity and childcare institutions, 158 children's hospitals, and has 3,364 centers for maternal rescue and 3,070 centers for critically ill newborns, according to Xinhua.

The national hospital birth rate has reached 99.9 percent, and cervical and breast cancer screenings now cover over 90 percent of the population. 

In addition, Statistics show that since the National Health Commission's nutrition improvement program began in 2012, anemia and growth retardation rates among infants aged six to 24 months in less developed areas have decreased by 71.7 percent and 74.3 percent, respectively, according to Xinhua.

Pre-pregnancy  health check-ups and folic acid supplementation have been included in the national basic public service standards.

"At the same time, we should realize that there are still challenges to maternal and child health," Liang said.

Liang noted that the health demands of women and children are becoming more diversified and specialized, which requires people to adopt innovative ways of thinking, models and technologies, in an effort to build a high-quality maternal and child health service system that matches the requirements of Chinese modernization.